sábado, 25 de agosto de 2012

Still there

«Mrs
Malins was helped down the front steps by her son and Mr Browne and,
after many manoeuvres, hoisted into the cab. Freddy Malins clambered
in after her and spent a long time settling her on the seat, Mr
Browne helping him with advice. At last she was settled comfortably
and Freddy Malins invited Mr Browne into the cab. There was a good
deal of confused talk, and then Mr Browne got into the cab. The
cabman settled his rug over his knees, and bent down for the address.
The confusion grew greater and the cabman was directed differently by
Freddy Malins and Mr Browne, each of whom had his head out through a
window of the cab. The difficulty was to know where to drop Mr Browne
along the route and Aunt Kate, Aunt Julia and Mary Jane helped the
discussion from the doorstep with cross-directions and contradictions
and abundance of laughter. As for Freddy Malins he was speechless
with laughter. He popped his head in and out of the window every
moment, to the great danger of his hat, and told his mother how the
discussion was progressing, till at last Mr Browne shouted to the
bewildered cabman above the din of everybody's laughter:

-
Do you know Trinity College?

-
Yes, sir, said the cabman.

-
Well, drive bang up against Trinity College gates, said Browne, and
then we'll tell you where to go. You understand now?

-
Yes, sir, said the cabman.

-
Make like a bird for Trinity College.

-
Right, sir, cried the cabman.

The
horse was whipped up and the cab rattled off along the quay amid a
chorus of laughter and adieus.»